Glove With Thermally Moldable Shaping Inserts

ABSTRACT

An athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand is provided. The glove comprises an exterior glove shell and an interior glove liner connected together to form index, middle, ring, and pinky finger sheaths and a thumb sheath. A glove webbing is connected to and extends between the thumb sheath and the index finger sheath. At least one middle layer is located between the exterior shell and the interior liner. At least one thermally moldable shaping insert is embedded in a finger or thumb sheath between the exterior glove shell and the interior glove liner. When heated beyond a threshold temperature, the embedded insert becomes temporarily pliable such that the insert can be molded while the threshold temperature is exceeded and retains the molded shape after the insert cools below the threshold temperature, the molded insert providing the glove a desired shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to athletic gloves. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to athletic gloves with a thermally moldableshaping insert.

BACKGROUND

Athletic gloves of various types are widely used in sports to improveperformance. In sports such as baseball and softball, players typicallywear a glove on the non-throwing hand for catching fly balls, throws,and line drives and for fielding ground balls. The characteristics of adesirable glove vary among individual players and among positions. Forexample, outfielders tend to prefer a longer glove with a deeper pocketto enhance their ability to catch fly balls. Similarly, infielders tendto prefer a shorter glove with a shallower pocket to enhance theirability to quickly retrieve fielded balls from the glove pocket andthrow to the appropriate base.

Individual players often have additional preferences. Some playersprefer the finger sheaths and thumb sheath of the glove to bend togethersuch when a ball hits the pocket the glove naturally collapses aroundthe ball. Other players prefer the glove to flare open to provide alarger area for stopping and fielding an incoming ball. Still otherplayers prefer a glove shape somewhere between an inward-bending gloveand an outward-flaring glove.

Gloves are typically made of leather and are conventionally shapedduring the “breaking-in” process in which softening substances areapplied to the leather. During breaking-in, water, oil, or othersubstances may be applied to a leather glove. The glove may then bebound or otherwise held in a desired position. After a certain amount oftime has elapsed, the glove will dry and take on the desired shape.

The breaking-in process is typically done only once—when a glove isfirst purchased. It is difficult to make adjustments or outright changesto a broken-in glove. Additionally, shaping a glove through thebreaking-in process can require multiple attempts and requires a largeinvestment of time and effort. Further, some gloves are made ofsynthetic materials and are more difficult to shape.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

An athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand is provided. Theglove comprises an exterior glove shell and an interior glove linerconnected together to form index, middle, ring, and pinky fingersheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a humanhand. The opening is located opposite the four finger sheaths andcorresponds approximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is wornby the user with fingers of the user extending within the four fingersheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath. Aglove webbing is connected to and extends between the thumb sheath andthe index finger sheath. At least one middle layer is located betweenthe exterior glove shell and the interior glove liner. At least onethermally moldable shaping insert is embedded in a finger or thumbsheath between the exterior glove shell and the interior glove liner.The embedded insert becomes temporarily pliable when heated beyond athreshold temperature such that the insert can be molded while thethreshold temperature is exceeded and retains the molded shape after theinsert cools below the threshold temperature. The molded insert providesthe glove a desired shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic glove with thermallymoldable shaping inserts embedded in the thumb and pinky finger sheaths;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the athletic glove of FIG. 1 shaped withthe thumb and pinky finger sheaths bent slightly inward;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the athletic glove of FIG. 1 shaped withthe thumb and pinky finger sheaths flared slightly outward;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a thermally moldable shaping insert;

FIG. 5 is an exploded partial elevation view of a thermally moldableshaping insert and exterior shell, middle, and interior layers;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view a middle layer with two thermally moldableshaping inserts attached; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for constructing andshaping a glove having a thermally moldable insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In conventional gloves used in baseball and softball, glove shaping isprovided through the breaking-in process. The present invention providesathletic gloves with thermally moldable shaping inserts that allowimproved and adjustable glove shaping as compared to conventional glovesand methods for shaping such athletic gloves. Examples of the presentinvention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 1 illustrates an athletic glove 100. Glove 100 comprises exteriorglove shell 102. Exterior glove shell 102 is made of a durable materialsuch as leather or synthetic leather. Interior glove liner 104 issubstantially inside exterior glove shell 102 and is connected toexterior glove shell 102 to form index finger sheath 106, middle fingersheath 108, ring finger sheath 110, pinky finger sheath 112, thumbsheath 114, and opening 116. Opening 116 is capable of receiving a humanhand and is located opposite finger sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112.

Glove webbing 118 connects to and extends between index finger sheath106 and thumb sheath 114. Glove webbing 118 may comprise one or morepieces of material connected to be substantially solid, woven, orotherwise interlocked or overlaid. Glove webbing 118 creates a “pocket”in glove 100 that is used to catch, field, and or hold a ball.

Glove 100 is designed to receive a left hand. Gloves designed to receivea right hand are also envisioned and within the scope of the presentinvention. For simplicity, only a glove designed to receive a left handis shown in the drawings.

In some examples, interior glove liner 104 is made of leather orsynthetic leather that is thinner than exterior glove shell 102.Interior glove liner 104 may be formed from multiple pieces of materialand may comprise a substantial portion or all of the interior surface ofglove 100. The portion of finger sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112 andthumb sheath 114 contacted by a user's fingers and thumb when the gloveis worn may be part of interior glove liner 104. Interior glove liner104 and exterior glove shell 102 may connect along opening 116, amongother places.

In some examples, glove 100 is a mitt such as a baseball or softballcatcher's or first-baseman's mitt. Gloves typically have finger sheathssuch as sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112 that are clearly visible asdistinct finger sheaths and are connected together at one or a fewpoints. For example, sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112 are stitchedtogether near the end of the sheaths. Glove finger sheaths may not beconnected together along the entire length of the finger sheaths.Although connected near the ends, finger sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112,for example, are not connected together along the majority of the lengthof each finger sheath.

The finger sheaths of mitts, in contrast, are typically not clearlyvisible as distinct finger sheaths when the palm-side portion of theexterior glove shell is primarily viewed. The palm-side portion of theexterior glove shell of a glove or mitt is the side of the exteriorglove shell corresponding to a user's palm when the glove is worn. Thepalm-side portion comprises four finger portions, a palm portion, and athumb portion. The four finger portions of the palm-side portion are theparts of the palm-side portion that correspond to the finger sheaths.

The four finger portions of the palm-side portion of the exterior gloveshell of a mitt are typically connected together to form a continuouspiece. If, for example, glove 100 were a first-baseman's mitt, thefinger portions of the palm-side portion of exterior glove shell 102would be connected together to form a continuous piece. Finger sheaths106, 108, 110, and 112 would still be present although not distinctlyvisible as finger sheaths when the palm-side portion is primarilyviewed. Finger sheaths 106, 108, 110, and 112 could be visible asdistinct sheaths when the back portion of exterior glove shell 102 isviewed.

Glove 100 has one or more middle layers (not shown in FIG. 1) betweenexterior glove shell 102 and interior glove liner 104. Middle layersoften provide support and rigidity to glove 100. In some examples,middle layers are made of felt. In other examples, middle layers aremade of leather. If a particular thickness is desired, additional layersof felt can be used to provide the desired thickness. Padded middlelayers may be located in the area of glove 100 corresponding to the palmof a user's hand to provide cushioning for catching or fielding a ball.In some examples, exterior glove shell 102 is thicker in the palm areato provide cushioning.

Thermally moldable shaping inserts 120 and 122 are embedded in thumbsheath 114 and pinky finger sheath 112, respectively. Although FIG. 1shows two thermally moldable shaping inserts, examples are contemplatedhaving a shaping insert in any finger or thumb sheath or combination offinger and thumb sheaths. In one example, one or more thermally moldableshaping inserts are retained in glove webbing 118. In another example,glove 100 only has insert 120. In still other examples, glove 100 has athermally moldable shaping insert in thumb sheath 114 and each fingersheath.

Thermally moldable shaping inserts 120 and 122 may be made of a varietyof materials. In one example, shaping inserts 120 and 122 are made of(plastic). Thermally moldable shaping inserts 120 and 122 becomemoldable through the addition of a heat source. The amount of heatnecessary to heat shaping inserts 120 and 122 to a moldable state isdetermined by the characteristics of the material of which inserts 120and 122 are made. Inserts 120 and 122 may be designed to be moldable ata variety of temperatures. In one example, shaping inserts 120 and 122are heated to about approximately (110) degrees Fahrenheit to becomemoldable. In another example, the material from which shaping inserts120 and 122 are made is selected such that inserts 120 and 122 do notbecome moldable in temperatures encountered in typical use and storage.

In some examples, a steam heat source is used. Steam provides the dualbenefit of moisture to soften and condition the leather and heat toallow molding of shaping inserts 120 and 122. In one particular example,a clothes steamer or other source of steam heat is used to heat inserts120 and 121 to a threshold temperature at which they become pliable. Inanother example a hairdryer is used to heat shaping inserts 120 and 122.In still another example a food steamer is used as the heat source. Instill a further example, glove 100 is encased in a moisture-retainingbag or container and placed in or near a heat source such as an oven orfireplace.

Upon heating thermally moldable shaping inserts 120 and 122 to thethreshold temperature that makes inserts 120 and 122 pliable, thumbsheath 114 and pinky sheath 112 are molded or bent in the desired way.As discussed above, thumb sheath 114 and pinky sheath 112 becometemporarily pliable when heated beyond a threshold temperature such thatthe sheaths can be molded while the threshold temperature is exceededand retain the molded shape after cooling below the thresholdtemperature. After molding, thumb sheath 114 and pinky sheath 112provide glove 100 a desired shape.

In some examples, the materials of which the exterior glove shell 102and shaping inserts 120 and 122 are made are selected to ensure thatimmediately or shortly after the temperature of shaping inserts 120 and122 are increased to the threshold temperature required for molding, thecorresponding sheaths can be molded by a bare hand without burning orotherwise injuring the hand. The time during which shaping insert 120and 122 will remain pliable after the threshold temperature is reachedand the heat source is removed depends upon the material and how farbeyond the threshold temperature the inserts are heated. In one example,shaping insert 120 and 122 remain pliable for about approximately (30seconds) after the threshold temperature is reached and the heat sourceis removed. The shaping of glove 100 can be altered by re-heating andre-molding glove 100 after it has been previously shaped.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate glove 100 shaped to enhance the performance ofa player wearing glove 100. In FIGS. 2 and 3, thermally moldable shapinginserts 120 and 122 have been heated until they were moldable. Pinkyfinger sheath 112 and thumb sheath 114 were then shaped. FIG. 2illustrates glove 100 with pinky finger sheath 112 and thumb sheath 114bent slightly inward. Shaping glove 100 in a slightly inward-bendingform causes glove 100 to naturally collapse closed when a ball isfielded or caught. Some players prefer a glove with such characteristicsto aid them in retaining possession of the ball in the glove.

FIG. 3 illustrates glove 100 with pinky finger sheath 112 and thumbsheath 114 bent slightly outward. Shaping glove 100 in a slightlyoutward-bending (flaring) form provides a wider mouth for fielding aball. A flaring glove shape is preferred by some players to enhancetheir fielding ability.

FIG. 4 shows thermally moldable shaping insert 120 in more detail.Insert 120 is largely rectangular with rounded corners in a “popsiclestick” shape. In some examples, insert 120 is rectangular. In otherexamples, insert 120 is substantially oval shaped. In still otherexamples, insert 120 tapers from one end to the other. Insert 120 can beany shape that can be embedded in a finger or thumb sheath. Thethickness of insert 120 can be selected according to a desired amount ofrigidity or a desired temperature at which insert 120 becomes moldable.

As can be seen clearly in FIG. 1, insert 120 is substantially as long asthumb sheath 114, and insert 122 is substantially as long as pinkyfinger sheath 112. In some examples, the length of each shaping insertis substantially as long as the corresponding finger or thumb sheath.The length of insert 120 and any other thermally moldable shapinginserts embedded in glove 100 can also be selected to enhanceperformance for a playing position for which the glove is designed.Shorter or longer gloves and shorter or longer shaping inserts can beselected according to the demands of a particular playing positionand/or individual.

In some examples, insert 120 has holes 402 shown in FIG. 4. Insert 120can be embedded in thumb sheath 114 by sewing insert 120 to the middlelayer through holes 402. Insert 120 can also be attached directly toexterior glove shell 102 or interior glove liner 104. In some examples,at least one middle layer extends substantially along the length of eachsheath in which a thermally moldable shaping insert is embedded, andeach insert is attached to at least one middle layer. In other examples,at least two middle layers extend substantially along the length of eachsheath in which a thermally moldable shaping insert is embedded, andeach insert is embedded between two middle layers. This is illustratedin FIG. 5 by “exploding” the various layers.

FIG. 5 illustrates exterior glove shell 102, middle layer 502, thermallymoldable shaping insert 120, middle layer 504, and interior glove liner104. Glove 100 may comprise additional middle layers. Insert 120 isembedded between two middle layers 502 and 504. In some examples, insert120 is attached to both middle layers. In other examples, insert 120 isattached to only one middle layer. Only a representative portion ofexterior glove shell 102, middle layers 502 and 504, and interior gloveliner 104 are shown to illustrate an example of how insert 120 can beembedded in thumb sheath 114. Insert 120 can be embedded in the portionof thumb sheath 120 corresponding to the front, back, or either side ofa user's thumb when the glove is worn.

Thermally moldable shaping insert 120 can be sewn to one or more middlelayers through holes 402. In other examples, insert 120 is placedbetween middle layers 502 and 504, and middle layers 502 and 504 areconnected to each other such that insert 120 is held in place. Forexample, middle layers 502 and 504 can be sewn together around a portionor all of the perimeter of insert 120. Any means of connecting shapinginsert 120 to one or more middle layers, external glove shell 102, orinternal glove liner 104 may be used, including adhesives, lamination,staples, and pressure fitting. The connection means is designed towithstand the application of the heat required to make insert 120moldable.

Glove 100 can be fabricated by assembling the layers. In one example,the layers of glove 100 are the layers shown in FIG. 5. At least onethermally moldable shaping insert can be attached to a middle layer. Insome examples, the insert is sewn to the middle layer. Additional middlelayers can be added. The middle layers can then be attached to one orboth of the external glove shell or the internal glove liner. In someexamples, the middle layers with attached inserts are placed between theinterior glove liner and exterior glove shell, and the shell and linerare stitched together or otherwise attached.

In some examples, one or more middle layers extend substantially alongan entire side or sides of glove 100. This is illustrated in FIG. 6.Middle layer 504 comprises portions 602, 604, 606, 608, and 610extending substantially the length of each finger and thumb sheath ofglove 100 as well as a central portion 612 and a webbing portion 614.Inserts 120 and 122 are attached to middle layer 504, which is locatedbetween exterior glove shell 102 and interior glove liner 104. Middlelayer 504 may be located on the side of the glove corresponding to theback or palm of a user's hand.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method 700 for constructing and shapinga glove having a thermally moldable insert. In step 702, glove layersare cut according to the design for the glove. Glove layers may comprisean exterior glove shell, an interior glove liner, and at least onemiddle layer. Each layer may comprise multiple pieces of material. Instep 704, at least one thermally moldable insert is formed. The formedshape of the at least one thermally moldable insert may be selected tocorrespond to the intended placement in the glove. In step 706, theglove layers are affixed in a manner to create a glove. The at least onethermally moldable inserts are retained between glove layers. In step708, at least one insert is heated beyond a threshold temperature untilthe insert is temporarily pliable. The heat source may be steam heat,produced, for example, by a clothes steamer or other source, or radiantheat, produced, for example, by a space heater, heat lamp, oven,hairdryer, or other source. In step 710, the pliable insert is molded toa first molded shape that provides a first desired shape to the glove.The insert is allowed to cool to a temperature below the thresholdtemperature in step 712. In step 714, during normal use and storageconditions, the insert retains its molded shape after cooling, givingthe glove the first desired shape.

In some examples, a second desired shape is identified, and a moldedinsert is heated beyond the threshold temperature until the insertbecomes pliable. The pliable insert is then re-molded to a second moldedshape that provides the second desired shape to the glove. Afterallowing the insert to re-cool to a temperature below the thresholdtemperature, the cooled insert retains the second molded shape duringnormal use and storage conditions. In further examples, the inserts canbe re-molded additional times to additional shapes.

Glove 100 may comprise a number of different layers connected in anumber of different ways. Thermally moldable shaping inserts may beembedded in any one or combination of finger sheaths 106, 108, 110, 112or thumb sheath 114. As discussed above, the specific way in which theone or more inserts are embedded depends upon the underlying layeredstructure.

In some examples, embedded thermally moldable shaping inserts areremovable by the user from the finger or thumb sheath in which they areembedded without disassembling the glove. This may be accomplished, forexample, through an access slit or panel in exterior glove shell 102.

The present invention encompasses baseball gloves, softball gloves,tee-ball gloves, and other gloves used to field or catch objects. Insome examples, gloves in accordance with the present invention are soldwith an insulating case designed to prevent unwanted heat from reachingthe thermally moldable shaping inserts embedded in the thumb and/orfinger sheaths of the glove.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularexamples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Alternative examples will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertainswithout departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, togetherwith other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system andmethod. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

1. An athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand, the athleticglove comprising: an exterior glove shell made of a durable material; aninterior glove liner substantially inside and connected to the exteriorglove shell to form index, middle, ring, and pinky finger sheaths, athumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand, theopening located opposite the four finger sheaths and correspondingapproximately to the wrist of a user when the glove is worn by the userwith fingers of the user extending within the four finger sheaths andthe thumb of the user extending within the thumb sheath; a glove webbingconnected to and extending between the thumb sheath and the index fingersheath; at least one middle layer between the exterior glove shell andthe inner glove liner; and at least one thermally moldable shapinginsert embedded in a finger or thumb sheath between the exterior gloveshell and the interior glove liner, the embedded insert becomingtemporarily pliable when heated beyond a threshold temperature such thatthe insert can be molded while the threshold temperature is exceeded andretains the molded shape after the insert cools below the thresholdtemperature, the molded insert providing the glove a desired shape. 2.The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein a thermally moldable shapinginsert is embedded in the thumb sheath.
 3. The athletic glove of claim2, wherein a thermally moldable shaping insert is embedded in the pinkyfinger sheath.
 4. The athletic glove of claim 2, wherein a thermallymoldable shaping insert is embedded in each finger sheath.
 5. Theathletic glove of claim 1, wherein at least one middle layer extendssubstantially along the length of each sheath in which a thermallymoldable shaping insert is embedded, and wherein each thermally moldableshaping insert is attached to at least one middle layer.
 6. The athleticglove of claim 5, wherein the one or more thermally moldable shapinginserts are sewn onto at least one middle layer.
 7. The athletic gloveof claim 1, wherein at least two middle layers extend substantiallyalong the length of each sheath in which a thermally moldable shapinginsert is embedded, and wherein each insert is embedded between twomiddle layers.
 8. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the one or morethermally moldable shaping inserts are made of plastic, and wherein thethickness of the inserts is selected according to a desired amount ofrigidity or a desired temperature at which the inserts become moldable.9. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the one or more thermallymoldable shaping inserts are removable by the user without disassemblingthe glove.
 10. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein each thermallymoldable shaping insert is substantially as long as the sheath in whichit is embedded.
 11. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove canbe shaped by applying steam heat to the one or more thermally moldableshaping inserts in the glove.
 12. The athletic glove of claim 1, whereinthe thermally moldable shaping inserts are designed to retain theirshape under temperature conditions encountered in typical use andstorage.
 13. The athletic glove of claim 1, wherein the length of eachinsert is selected to enhance performance for a playing position forwhich the glove is designed.
 14. The athletic glove of claim 1, whereinthe glove is one of a baseball glove or a softball glove.
 15. Theathletic glove of claim 1, wherein the glove is a mitt, wherein theexterior glove shell has a palm-side portion and a back portion, thepalm-side portion having a palm portion, four finger portions, and athumb portion, and wherein the four finger portions of the palm-sideportion of the exterior glove shell are connected together to form acontinuous piece.
 16. An athletic glove capable of receiving a humanhand, the athletic glove comprising: an exterior glove shell made of adurable material; an interior glove liner substantially inside andconnected to the exterior glove shell to form index, middle, ring, andpinky finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable ofreceiving a human hand, the opening located opposite the four fingersheaths and corresponding approximately to the wrist of a user when theglove is worn by the user with fingers of the user extending within thefour finger sheaths and the thumb of the user extending within the thumbsheath; a glove webbing connected to and extending between the thumbsheath and the index finger sheath; a middle layer between the exteriorglove shell and the inner glove liner extending substantially along thelength of the thumb sheath and the pinky finger sheath; and a thermallymoldable shaping insert embedded in each of the thumb sheath and thepinky finger sheath between the exterior glove shell and the interiorglove liner, the embedded inserts becoming temporarily pliable whenheated beyond a threshold temperature such that the inserts can bemolded while the threshold temperature is exceeded and retain the moldedshape after the inserts cool below the threshold temperature, the moldedinserts providing the glove a desired shape.
 17. The athletic glove ofclaim 16, further comprising an additional middle layer between theexterior glove shell and the inner glove liner extending substantiallyalong the length of the thumb sheath and the pinky finger sheath,wherein each insert is embedded between the two middle layers.
 18. Theathletic glove of claim 16, wherein the glove can be shaped by applyingsteam heat to the thermally moldable shaping inserts in the glove, andwherein the glove is designed to retain its shape under temperatureconditions encountered in typical use and storage.
 19. A method forshaping an athletic glove capable of receiving a human hand, the methodcomprising: providing an athletic glove having at least one embeddedthermally moldable shaping insert; heating the at least one insertbeyond a threshold temperature until the insert is temporarily pliable;molding the at least one pliable insert to a first molded shape thatprovides a first desired shape to the glove; and allowing the insert tocool to a temperature below the threshold temperature such that thecooled insert retains the first molded shape during normal use andstorage conditions.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:identifying a second desired shape; heating at least one molded insertbeyond the threshold temperature until the insert is temporarilypliable; re-molding the pliable insert to a second molded shape thatprovides the second desired shape to the glove; and allowing the insertto re-cool to a temperature below the threshold temperature such thatthe re-cooled insert retains the second molded shape during normal useand storage conditions.